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Hi Guys,

 

Everything is well in our world, thank you. Life seems just to be an inconvenience at the moment so there is a lot to be thankful for.

 

We've been using Zoom for a while now and it's been really excellent for keeping in touch. I'd be happy to attend the Monday meetings when the time is right for you to invite me.

 

I coughed up the joining fee to John Vichie this morning so I'm all up to date.

 

Kind regards,

 

Dave Hambly

Sugarloaf, Qld

0414 440 515

From: Anna Henderson <anna.henderson410@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, 22 April 2020 12:36 AM
To: Janelle Bell <jbellsbooks@gmail.com>; PASCOE, Melissa (mpasc36) <mpasc36@eq.edu.au>
Subject: March/April report

 

Hello! 

I am sorry this report is so late however I havent done very much for the past few months so I combined March and April but I will do another one for just April if youd like, but if anyone has any questions or anything else theyd like me to talk about please let me know :)

 

Hope you are doing well!

thanks,

Anna

March Report 2020 – Anna Henderson

 

Hello everyone! Happy belated Easter to you all! I hope you are all doing well in these uncertain times. I am still in lockdown and this is going into my 3^rd month in Italy and my 2^nd month in quarantine. This past month I have unfortunately seen many exchange students in Italy return to their home counties. Rotary in Italy has told us that we are able to stay and they will continue to look after us, so it was the students and their parents decision to return.

I have been in contact with my district chairs in both Australia and Italy and they are both confident that I am able to stay here safely, and I am being looked after extremely well by my host mum. Travel at this stage, as you may know, is extremely limited and returning home poses a much higher risk of getting sick rather than staying here. I will keep updating you all on the situation as it progresses.

As a result of not being able to leave the house I am finding many other ways to keep myself entertained. The most recent activities include learning the piano, drawing, exercising (using a mini trampoline that my host mum purchased, blowing bubbles for many hoursand learning how to become a dog groomer (We are unable to take my host mums Pomeranian to the groomer so I had to tidy up his fur and it turned out pretty well).

With the number of new cases in Italy diminishing every day the government has said that on the 4^th of May they will begin to reopen some shops and allow people to go outside, although always with mask and many precautions still in place). This is exciting news as we will be able to get some fresh air and not be cooped up inside constantly. However, this is not set in stone and they will revaluate in the coming days.

Although I am not able to see any of my friend over the past few months I am able to talk to them through video chats or texting, as well as attending online school. I am also having a weekly meeting with Chris Thurtell (Current RYE district chair) and the other outbound students (students on exchange from district 9640). This meeting is to ensure that we are all coping in this tough situation and to ensure that we are in good health mentally and physically, as well as having a group of people to talk to who are in the same situation as me.

I have also continued to stay in contact with the Scout group in Cremona and have been to a few video chats with them. This has allowed me to start getting to know them and organising activities so that when they are able to meet again in person I have already “met” them. They are making me feel like one of their own and it is something I am really looking forward to doing when everything goes back to normal.

I recently read on Facebook about how this virus is going to be a fairly significant historical event due to the world wide impact it is having. The article I read spoke about how while students are home from school, parents should encourage them to make “journal” entries regarding the situation and their emotions throughout this time to look back on in many years to come, whether is be hand written, typed on a computer or even a video. I am in a fairly unique situation, so I have decided that I want to do this as well. If in 50 years’ time I am asked by my grandchildren where I was during the COVID-19 outbreak I want to be able to show them exactly how I was feeling, as well as it just being interesting for me to look back on in the years to come. If any of you have children or grandchildren I think you should mention this to them, because even if it is never read in the future they are able to say how they are feeling during this hard situation. Besides, it is also an easy way to occupy them for a few hours too.

I also want to take the time to tell you how I am feeling and how I am coping during this time as many people have asked me if I am mentally coping. Surprisingly I am actually doing pretty well, I am a little bored at home and definitely ready to go outside again but I am finding ways to keep myself entertained.  My host mum is extremely supportive of me and I know that I am safe and will be looked after here no matter what happens which is very comforting. An I hope you are all feeling safe as well. Social media is often pictured negatively, however in this time of uncertainty and isolation it has been an amazing tool for everyone to stay connected with each other and to remember that we are never alone.

I would like to thank you all once again for this incredible experience. I know that many exchange students have decided to leave but I, as long as I am able to, want to stick this out because you have given me this once in a lifetime opportunity and even if it isn’t what I expected it to be, it has taught me so much already. I have learnt how to be more independent, how to cope in the face of adversity and to be more resilient. I have also learnt to look on the bright side and to enjoy the small things (such as playing with my host dog or talk with my host mum). I appreciate every aspect of this exchange and I am so grateful for everything.

If anyone has any questions please don’t hesitate to email or message me and I would be more than happy to reply. And if there is anything you would like me to talk about in my next report please let me know 😊 Also, I have not visited anywhere but here are some photos from the last few weeks.

Thanks,

Anna 😊